How much does a tax preparer make?
The median tax preparer in the United States earns $54,920 per year, about $26.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all tax preparers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-2082.
Tax preparer salary range
Pay for tax preparers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $99,270. The average (mean) wage of $60,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,760 | $16.23 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,910 | $18.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,920 | $26.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,300 | $36.68 | |
| 90th percentile | $99,270 | $47.72 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for tax preparers (SOC 13-2082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Tax preparer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Tax preparers earn the most in New York at $71,850 a year, and the least in Alabama at $33,280. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $71,850 | 7,620 |
| California | $70,030 | 10,270 |
| Utah | $66,720 | 1,190 |
| Montana | $63,080 | 360 |
| Missouri | $62,780 | 1,330 |
| Colorado | $62,620 | 1,540 |
| Alaska | $62,360 | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $61,370 | 420 |
| Oregon | $61,370 | 1,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,270 | 2,010 |
| Nevada | $60,000 | 1,410 |
| Minnesota | $59,200 | 1,040 |
| Virginia | $58,520 | 1,960 |
| Massachusetts | $58,400 | 1,500 |
| Wyoming | $57,990 | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $57,680 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $57,060 | 220 |
| Illinois | $54,480 | 1,310 |
| Iowa | $53,660 | 780 |
| South Dakota | $52,530 | 280 |
| Delaware | $51,960 | 240 |
| Mississippi | $50,670 | 580 |
| Georgia | $49,330 | 1,670 |
| Florida | $49,020 | N/A |
| Ohio | $49,020 | 1,590 |
| North Carolina | $48,130 | 2,710 |
| Texas | $47,460 | 6,010 |
| Kansas | $47,300 | 450 |
| Maine | $47,150 | 250 |
| Maryland | $47,020 | 1,240 |
| Michigan | $46,400 | 1,660 |
| Indiana | $45,710 | 1,820 |
| Washington | $45,370 | 1,360 |
| Arizona | $44,770 | 2,240 |
| Wisconsin | $44,340 | 1,550 |
| New Jersey | $43,420 | 3,220 |
| Nebraska | $43,010 | 420 |
| Oklahoma | $42,700 | 1,300 |
| Connecticut | $41,130 | 700 |
| South Carolina | $39,220 | 1,360 |
| Louisiana | $38,740 | 650 |
| New Mexico | $38,060 | 340 |
| Kentucky | $36,620 | 1,080 |
| Tennessee | $36,600 | 1,260 |
| West Virginia | $35,880 | 330 |
| Arkansas | $35,040 | 550 |
| Hawaii | $34,720 | N/A |
| Alabama | $33,280 | 290 |
State median wages for tax preparers (SOC 13-2082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for tax preparers
The BLS projects employment of tax preparers to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 95,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 100,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,400 openings a year for tax preparers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a tax preparer
The typical entry-level education for tax preparers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a tax preparer earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $71,850) and the lowest (Alabama, $33,280) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 76,480 people work as tax preparers in the United States. At $54,920 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Tax preparer salary FAQ
How much does a tax preparer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a tax preparer is $26.40. The middle half of tax preparers earn between $18.71 and $36.68 per hour.
What is the highest tax preparer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of tax preparers earn more than $99,270 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a tax preparer make a year?
The median annual salary for a tax preparer is $54,920. The average (mean) wage of $60,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a tax preparer a well paid job?
At $54,920 a year, a tax preparer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 76,480 people work as tax preparers in the United States.
Which state pays tax preparers the most?
New York has the highest median salary for tax preparers at $71,850 a year. California ($70,030) and Utah ($66,720) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a tax preparer a good career?
Employment of tax preparers is projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a tax preparer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for tax preparers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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